Principal's Report

Earlier in the year, I spoke at the 2022 Family Welcome BBQ about the importance of “community building” in growing fully-rounded children who achieve successful learning outcomes and positive well-being. I made the point that high-performing catholic schools CANNOT achieve this type of success without active family engagement and involvement with the parish. As the COVID pandemic proved, isolation from the community and the church has a powerful negative impact on our kids. Conversely, having parents and grandparents from our broader community and the parish actively involved in our learning and well-being work feeds on itself and breeds high-achieving, independent and confident learners. The massive attendance at Grandparents Day on Tuesday showed that we have a deeply caring and diverse support network here at St Joseph's Glen Innes. Over 50 Grans, Nans, Pops, Grandmas and Grandads descended on our classrooms to witness and participate in the great learning going on here at St Joseph’s. Afterwards, they were treated to cupcakes, a cup of tea and 3 songs from our excellent New England Sings! Choir. I encouraged all generations of the St Joseph’s family to always feel welcome to attend our whole school events and parish activities. A great day was had by all but also an ongoing reminder of the integral importance of community building.

Our first session of the 2023 Kinder Transition kicked off on Friday under (not surprisingly) grey skies. I must compliment Miss McShane, Mrs Webel and the wonderful Year 5 ‘Buddies’ for their expert care and organisation of the new students to our community. As a skilful helpful team of adults totally committed to ensuring every child feels Safe, Valued, Respected and Cared for with a tight focus on Learning, our students and staff demonstrated great care and concern for young people who began with some anxiety yet finished with beaming smiles and excitement about joining us next year. 

This is a quick reminder that we want to encourage safe play at all times and the wearing of a school hat is a compulsory requirement at break times. Please ensure that your child packs their hat each day for school. If there are problems with locating the hat please ask your child to check the lost property in their classroom and outside Stage 1 classroom.

After years of drought, it is never ever a smart thing to criticise the amount of rain we get but surely a small break is due? Take care everyone.

May God go with you

Geoff McManus

Principal